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Participants live outdoors and receive advanced training in outdoor skills. They are expected to apply what they learned during Wood Badge including team building, ethical decision making and servant leadership.[1] They utilize the Scouting COPE course and are given additional instruction in wilderness first aid, advanced GPS use, and search and rescue techniques.[2] Unlike the Wood Badge program, which is delivered through a lecture classroom environment and in a short outdoor camping experience, the entire Philmont Leadership Challenge is outdoors.[1]

The adults are formed into teams and establish a base camp at Rayado Ridge Leadership Camp at about 6,500 feet (2,000 m) elevation, where they live in Philmont canvas tents on wooden platforms. They practice Leave No Trace camping.

They end the week with a backpack trip to Lover’s Leap Meadow camp[2][1] at 7,280 feet (2,220 m).[3]

Participants are asked to write an agreement to take home what they learned and put it to use. This includes applying their improved skills by training their home unit and council leadership staff.

Attendees must have completed or been a staff member of the Wood Badge program. They must be in good physical condition, satisfying Part D of the National Health and Medical Requirements, which is required for all participants who attend a high-adventure program.[4] Adults who completed their Wood Badge ticket before the current Wood Badge program was introduced, and who have served on staff for either National Youth Leadership Training or National Advanced Youth Leader Experience programs can also attend. Participants do not have to be nominated by their local council and can apply directly.

During 2012, the program fee was $470 if paid before January 2012, or $495 after January 1. This fee includes all meals and lodging, training materials, and a course patch. This cost excludes transportation to and from Philmont.[1] Two courses are being offered during 2012, The first is from September 16–22 at Philmont.

A new, four-day pilot course will be hosted by the Marin Council, California from July 10–14, 2012 at Camp Tamarancho. Participants only need to satisfy the requirements of Part C of the National Health and Medical Requirements. An NYLT program for youth will be held on the same days and at the same camp.[5]